Commercial Luger from Dad

kenbike48 · 08-05-2016, 09:53 PM

Hello- New to the forum - My Dad left me a Luger when he passed a few years ago. Just recently got it out,learned how to dismantle it on youtube and cleaned it up wel. Based on my reasearch, as best I can determine it is one of the so called 1920 Commercial models. Not sure of the manf. date but if someone could help, here are the details. Also, it is a 30 cal version-would have loved it were a 9mm however. Does anyone know if you can get 30 cal. snap caps?

-Ser. number under barrell- 6881 with what looks like a small letter L under the number.
-All matching parts with 81 stamped
-No Date stamped on the top of receiver
-Manf. is DVM
-Proof mark is upright crown/N in two places
- has a wooden butt plate and is either stamped-6860 or 5860 so I guess it has been replaced.
-The holster is marked WaA279- 41 stamped on back and has a NAZI emblem on it so I guess it was replaced with a WW2 Holster

Thanks for any comments--Ken

kenbike48 · 08-05-2016, 10:00 PM

On further examination after looking at other models the alphebet could be an i.--Thanks Ken

kenbike48 · 08-05-2016, 10:06 PM

No "Germany" stamped anywhere

Eugen · 08-06-2016, 10:00 AM

Ken, congrats on your new to you Luger and welcome to the forum. Close up pics are nearly requisite if you are asking for helpful comments on your Luger.

Edward Tinker · 08-06-2016, 11:44 AM

welcome to the forum - without pictures, we are guessing, as suffix letters can be totally different to another person.

Just as people mistakenly say lugar or the toggle is hard to read (its DWM)

kenbike48 · 08-06-2016, 01:58 PM

Thanks for the comments- I'll try to take some pics and post. I'm still ole school with a flip phone that does not take good pics. Sorry about the DVM description.

Eugen · 08-06-2016, 03:09 PM

Ken, check out the FAQ section as there is ton of great info there that you will find helpful. I have only been an owner for a few months and I found the FAQs to be immensely valuable.

kenbike48 · 08-07-2016, 11:06 AM

Thanks for the suggestion on the FAQ.s-Does anyone know if they make snapcaps for the 30 cal. luger round?- Dry firing is not good !!

ithacaartist · 08-07-2016, 11:26 AM

.30 Luger snap caps are generally not available, but you can fashion some of your own by installing a piece of eraser instead of the primer.

sheepherder · 08-07-2016, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ithacaartist

.30 Luger snap caps are generally not available, but you can fashion some of your own by installing a piece of eraser instead of the primer.

Some mechanical pencils come with the exact size eraser for the primer pocket. It just needs to be cut to length.

kenbike48 · 08-10-2016, 03:08 PM

OK folks attached are the pics I finally took of the Luger- Any reviews are certainly welcome as to date, model, condition etc. I like to take it out and shoot also. Is this OK being as old as it is?-Thanks Ken

kenbike48 · 08-10-2016, 03:11 PM

Additional pic.

rhuff · 08-10-2016, 03:59 PM

It looks like a good shooter to me. Your serial # is 6881L. There are a number of other parts inside and outside with a serial number on them. It shows some rust pitting, and can't tell if it has be touched up with cold blue or not. I own one that is a bit older than this one, and shoot it on a regular basis.

Many folks with 30 Luger caliber Lugers use Fiocchi 93gr FMJ ammo with success. Winchester makes 30 Luger also, but is quite expensive. Before any range time, I highly recommend a breakdown for cleaning, inspection, and lubing. Youtube has some good videos for field stripping Lugers. Be very careful removing the left grip panel as it is easy to break on the safety lever.....just go slow and you will be fine.

kenbike48 · 08-10-2016, 04:04 PM

Thanks for the comment- I've already broke it down using some youtube videos as a guide and clean it up. Do you have any idea as to the age or date of manufacture?--Thanks

Diver6106 · 08-10-2016, 04:29 PM

Looks like a nice DWM Luger serial # 6881 l post WWI production. That loop below the number is an 'el' not 'eye' in lower German case. On the underside of the barrel are marks. If it is just the serial number, it is .30 caliber but if it has 8.82 then it is a 9mm parabellum. This forum has a pencil test to determine caliber.

http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...ghlight=pencil

rhuff · 08-11-2016, 07:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kenbike48

Do you have any idea as to the age or date of manufacture?--Thanks

The" i " series started in 1921(mine) so a WAG would be 1924-25, or there about. That is the best I can do.....perhaps someone else can nail down the manufacture date better.

Mac Cat · 08-12-2016, 04:53 PM

No Swiss cross banner ?
I'm not sure it's a Swiss Commercial.
The 1920 Swiss commercial lugers were built on 1906 frames with a grip safety (I don't see a grip safety on this photo).

I have a Swiss 1920 commercial S/N 2011 "L" and I think it was assembled in 1921 w/ a German barrel (95 mm).

There is a very typical Swiss luger on this link today: Swiss Luger
I thought you might be interested in reading this web page:
http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...ferrerid=12799

08-05-2016, 09:53 PM	#1
kenbike48 User Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Commercial Luger from Dad Hello- New to the forum - My Dad left me a Luger when he passed a few years ago. Just recently got it out,learned how to dismantle it on youtube and cleaned it up wel. Based on my reasearch, as best I can determine it is one of the so called 1920 Commercial models. Not sure of the manf. date but if someone could help, here are the details. Also, it is a 30 cal version-would have loved it were a 9mm however. Does anyone know if you can get 30 cal. snap caps? -Ser. number under barrell- 6881 with what looks like a small letter L under the number. -All matching parts with 81 stamped -No Date stamped on the top of receiver -Manf. is DVM -Proof mark is upright crown/N in two places - has a wooden butt plate and is either stamped-6860 or 5860 so I guess it has been replaced. -The holster is marked WaA279- 41 stamped on back and has a NAZI emblem on it so I guess it was replaced with a WW2 Holster Thanks for any comments--Ken

08-06-2016, 10:00 AM	#4
Eugen User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newburgh,IN Posts: 757 Thanks: 366 Thanked 594 Times in 313 Posts	Ken, congrats on your new to you Luger and welcome to the forum. Close up pics are nearly requisite if you are asking for helpful comments on your Luger. __________________ “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain

08-06-2016, 11:44 AM	#5
Edward Tinker Super Moderator Eternal Lifer LugerForum Patron Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: North of Spokane, WA Posts: 15,909 Thanks: 1,986 Thanked 4,500 Times in 2,076 Posts	welcome to the forum - without pictures, we are guessing, as suffix letters can be totally different to another person. Just as people mistakenly say lugar or the toggle is hard to read (its DWM) __________________ Edward Tinker ************ Co-Author of Police Lugers - Co-Author of Simson Lugers Author of Veteran Bring Backs Vol I, Vol II, Vol III and Vol IV

08-06-2016, 03:09 PM	#7
Eugen User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Newburgh,IN Posts: 757 Thanks: 366 Thanked 594 Times in 313 Posts	Ken, check out the FAQ section as there is ton of great info there that you will find helpful. I have only been an owner for a few months and I found the FAQs to be immensely valuable. __________________ “God created war so that Americans would learn geography.” ― Mark Twain

08-07-2016, 11:26 AM	#9
ithacaartist Twice a Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Atop the highest hill in Schuyler County NY Posts: 3,282 Thanks: 7,007 Thanked 2,476 Times in 1,319 Posts	.30 Luger snap caps are generally not available, but you can fashion some of your own by installing a piece of eraser instead of the primer. __________________ "... Liberty is the seed and soil, the air and light, the dew and rain of progress, love and joy."-- Robert Greene Ingersoll 1894

08-05-2016, 10:00 PM	#2
kenbike48 User Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	On further examination after looking at other models the alphebet could be an i.--Thanks Ken

08-05-2016, 10:06 PM	#3
kenbike48 User Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	No "Germany" stamped anywhere

08-06-2016, 01:58 PM	#6
kenbike48 User Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks for the comments- I'll try to take some pics and post. I'm still ole school with a flip phone that does not take good pics. Sorry about the DVM description.

08-07-2016, 11:06 AM	#8
kenbike48 User Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks for the suggestion on the FAQ.s-Does anyone know if they make snapcaps for the 30 cal. luger round?- Dry firing is not good !!

08-10-2016, 03:08 PM	#11
kenbike48 User Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	new pics of Dad's Luger OK folks attached are the pics I finally took of the Luger- Any reviews are certainly welcome as to date, model, condition etc. I like to take it out and shoot also. Is this OK being as old as it is?-Thanks Ken Attached Thumbnails

08-10-2016, 03:11 PM	#12
kenbike48 User Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Additional pic of upright crown/N Additional pic. Attached Thumbnails

08-10-2016, 03:59 PM	#13
rhuff Patron LugerForum Patron Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Az. Posts: 2,270 Thanks: 2,686 Thanked 958 Times in 704 Posts	It looks like a good shooter to me. Your serial # is 6881L. There are a number of other parts inside and outside with a serial number on them. It shows some rust pitting, and can't tell if it has be touched up with cold blue or not. I own one that is a bit older than this one, and shoot it on a regular basis. Many folks with 30 Luger caliber Lugers use Fiocchi 93gr FMJ ammo with success. Winchester makes 30 Luger also, but is quite expensive. Before any range time, I highly recommend a breakdown for cleaning, inspection, and lubing. Youtube has some good videos for field stripping Lugers. Be very careful removing the left grip panel as it is easy to break on the safety lever.....just go slow and you will be fine.

08-10-2016, 04:04 PM	#14
kenbike48 User Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Thanks for the comment- I've already broke it down using some youtube videos as a guide and clean it up. Do you have any idea as to the age or date of manufacture?--Thanks

08-10-2016, 04:29 PM	#15
Diver6106 User Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Mt. Vernon VA Posts: 244 Thanks: 1,417 Thanked 117 Times in 75 Posts	Looks like a nice DWM Luger serial # 6881 l post WWI production. That loop below the number is an 'el' not 'eye' in lower German case. On the underside of the barrel are marks. If it is just the serial number, it is .30 caliber but if it has 8.82 then it is a 9mm parabellum. This forum has a pencil test to determine caliber. http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...ghlight=pencil Last edited by Diver6106; 08-10-2016 at 04:32 PM. Reason: Pencil Test link

08-12-2016, 04:53 PM	#17
Mac Cat Lifer Lifetime Forum Patron Join Date: Apr 2015 Location: Austin, Texas Posts: 670 Thanks: 2,009 Thanked 542 Times in 292 Posts	No Swiss cross banner ? I'm not sure it's a Swiss Commercial. The 1920 Swiss commercial lugers were built on 1906 frames with a grip safety (I don't see a grip safety on this photo). I have a Swiss 1920 commercial S/N 2011 "L" and I think it was assembled in 1921 w/ a German barrel (95 mm). There is a very typical Swiss luger on this link today: Swiss Luger I thought you might be interested in reading this web page: http://forum.lugerforum.com/showthre...ferrerid=12799